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Scientifically baseless attack on PVC could hurt consumers, resulting in use of riskier and less affordable materials

VANCOUVER, Dec. 13 /CNW/ - Recent activist attacks on PVC, one of the
most sustainable, useful and affordable plastics available, are without any
basis in scientific fact and could hurt consumers by forcing retailers to
adopt the use of riskier, less affordable materials, Greenpeace co-founder and
former leader Dr. Patrick Moore says.
"Environmental Defense and other anti-PVC activists are engaged in a
fear-mongering campaign that's attempting to convince retailers like Sears to
de-select PVC without a shred of scientific evidence," said Moore, a
Greenpeace co-founder and Chairman and Chief Scientist, Greenspirit Strategies
Ltd..
PVC is commonly known as vinyl or polyvinyl chloride. It has recently
come under attack by Environmental Defence Canada.
"It's completely unacceptable for these activists to call PVC 'toxic'
when PVC's effects on health and the environment have been investigated at
every stage from manufacture through use and on to final disposal - in all
cases vinyl has been shown to be safe and environmentally sound," said Moore.
"The most rigorous risk assessment ever undertaken by the European Union
on plasticizers used to make PVC flexible was conducted over 10 years, and
concluded these widely used additives should not be classified as hazardous
and pose no risks to either human health or the environment from their current
use," said Moore.
"Anti-PVC activists are pushing retailers toward untested, less
affordable and potentially riskier materials and that's bad news for Canadian
consumers," said Moore.
"PVC is one of the most thoroughly tested plastics available. Because it
is easily cleaned, affordable, durable and safe, PVC has many important
applications," said Moore.
"The best way to deliver affordable, safe drinking water is through a PVC
pipe. The best way to insulate electrical wiring is with a PVC coating. In
hospitals, floors and wall coverings use PVC widely. PVC is a durable,
cost-effective siding for buildings because of its low maintenance and long
life. Building with PVC saves on energy and material costs," said Moore.
"Alternatives simply don't match the safety, affordability and
flexibility of PVC," said Moore. "That's why PVC continues to be a very
popular choice in many applications," he said.